Providing access to multiple different services by way of a single network identifier
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorRias Muhamed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate access to a plurality of services or a plurality of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) by way of a single Service Set Identifier (SSID). In particular, the architecture can receive a client credential that can be utilized to identify and/or authenticate a client. Based upon the identity, the service provisioned to that client can be selected. Accordingly, one client can access a first service (or VLAN) while another client can access a second service, even though both clients interact with the host network by way of a single SSID.
Claims20
1. A system that employs a single service set identifier (SSID) for connecting to multiple services in a wireless communication environment, comprising:
- an authentication component that receives a client credential and that authenticates or identifies an associated client based upon the client credential;
- and
- a selection component that is configured to facilitate access to a plurality of wireless services based upon a single SSID, the selection component chooses a particular service from among the plurality of wireless services based at least in part upon an identity of the client.
A method for facilitating access to a plurality of wireless services based upon a single SSID, comprising:
- providing a plurality of wireless services accessible by way of a single SSID;
- receiving a client credential that is associated with a client;
- authenticating the client by way of the credential;
- and
- selecting a particular service from amongst the plurality of wireless services based upon an identity of the authenticated client.
A method for utilizing a single SSID for enabling access to multiple services or VLANs, comprising:
- broadcasting one SSID indicating the name of a physical network;
- receiving a first network access request from a first unauthenticated client and a second network access request from a second unauthenticated client, both the first and the second access requests solicit access to the physical network by way of the one SSID;
- assigning a first temporary IP address to the first unauthenticated client and a second temporary IP address to the second unauthenticated client;
- providing at least one of a login feature or a registration feature by way of a temporary VLAN associated with the physical network, both the first and the second temporary IP addresses are associated with the temporary VLAN;
- authenticating both the first and the second client by way of respective client credentials for establishing a first authenticated client and a second authenticated client, respectively;
- and
- enabling a first service for the first authenticated client and a second service for the second authenticated client, the first service is distinct from the second service.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.